8.31.2010

The20th annual NAACP Theater Awards took place last night in Los Angeles and Hollywood's young and beautiful glitterati were out in full effect. While some looked classy and effortlessly gorgeous (Nia Long), others looked like they didn't bother doing their hair or putting makeup on (sigh...Sharon Leal) and still, others took it upon themselves to create cleavage cutouts in formal gowns where they did not belong (Meghan Goode). Take a look at the celebs on the red carpet below and let me know who was the MOST Glam and who wears the crown for SHAM of the evening.

Ashanti chose a red strapless gown with a train and ruffled hem. Her flawless hair and makeup, red lips and jeweled accessories really make for a gorgeous finish, though the dress looks poorly made to me.

Nia Long chose a blush gown with a one-shoulder neckline for the festivities, and paired it with her white chandelier earrings and gold clutch. Stunning! I always prefer her hair cut short like this, don't you? Her look was perfection.

Sigh. Sharon Leal is such a beautiful woman so I can't understand why she would come out without her hair and makeup done. Her dress also looks very off-the-rack-of-a-department-store-ish. Clearly, I'm not a fan.

Sure nude and ruffles are popular fashion trends, but I'm not sure this look works for Tamera Mowry. The top seems to be too small for her chest, and the ruffles do nothing for her shape.

Surprise, surprise, LisaRaye McCoy rocked her favorite color: white. This time, she went for a jersey wrap gown adorned with a statement necklace to cover up the plunging neckline. Not dressy enough for me.

Meghan Goode graced the red carpet in a white one-shoulder embellished gown with an unsightly slit in the neckline that revealed part of one of her breasts. Is that even sexy? And that kind of design element belongs in a skimpy dress one wears to the club, not on a red-carpet gown. Goode paired the dress with her beloved hoop earrings, a bangle bracelet and flipped hair.

Just when I was getting used to heading to Long Island beach every weekend, Fall is back with a start. And I'm not complaining---there are so many fabulous new trends this season (look out for my trend guide coming soon) that I am welcoming cool-weather dressing with my arms open wide.

For now, it's about making the most of your fave summer pieces without freezing to death as the temperature drops. I am pretty much the Queen of this (ask Ferocia; somehow I manage to make my summer clothes work all year long) so here are 8 of my tried-and-true tips for seasonless dressing. Your closet, and bank account, will be eternally greatful.

Tip #1: Meet my old best friend: jeggings.

Wear them alone as pants, under dresses, under skirts, you name it and they'll keep your legs warm while giving you endless styling options.

With this season's fixation with mixed prints, patterned cardigans are the perfect piece to add some pizazz to your ensemble. For Fall, cardigans are part of your outfit rather than just an addition. Throw a leopard print cardigan over a floral printed dress (in the same color family!). You'll be warm and tres chic! Or go the Michelle Obama route and invest in cardigans in neutral colors that can be easily paired with your sleeveless dresses and tanks.

If you love your legs (like me!) and want to keep showing them long after summer drifts away, knee-length boots are your Savior. Keep your minidresses and skirts in rotation by pairing them with sexy suede knee-length boots and leggings/tights.

So...between you and I...I've been pairing my flowy summer tanks with a pair of leggings and a blazer and wearing them to work all week. It's amazing how a blazer can add a stylish and polished flair to your look, even when you're wearing your most casual Catherine Malandrino tee underneath. Throw a blazer over a floral dress for the same effect.

My grandma always says cover up your neck and chest. I follow her orders fashionably with an assortment of the season's hottest printed scarves. No matter how you tie them, they look chic and keep you nice and warm. Drape them for a long, lax look or tie them for a sophisticated, Upper West Side flair.

If it seems like a waste to pack up your shorts after three months of wear, you're not alone. They can totally work into the Fall with the right pieces. Rock them with a blazer or a long-sleeved shirt or pair them with tights for a fresh, edgy look that all the downtown girls are wearing.

Tip #7: Try socks with sandals.

I am hopelessly enamored with my shoes, especially my summertime sandals. And too often, I have to pack my sandals up at the first hint of wind. No longer - the retro socks with sandals trend that has swept the fashion landscape will do you well here. Rock a pair of nude or black socks with your fave stilettos and voila, your sandals are Fall-ready.

Fall is the perfect season for vests! Throw a chic faux fur vest over a thin long-sleeved shirt, or floral l/s dress and you've got the look. Belt a vest over a dress for a cinched waist and sexy silhouette.

8.30.2010

Ahh, I love spotting beautiful couples on the red carpet. Nicole Ari Parker graced the red carpet at the 2010 Emmy's Awards in a gorgeous pale pink strapless gown with black lace overlay and a daring split up her leg.

She also rocked a killer haircut that highlighted her perfect facial features. Boris was just as good-looking in a sharp tux with a white shirt and black tie.

She complimented her flawless makeup with a short Marchesa dress that showed off her gorgeous gams. Is the same woman that gave birth to a slew of children? Because I don't see evidence of labor on her body...anywhere. See, clearly not human.

I love the red jeweled necklace she wore to energize the dress (clearly, this was a trend of the night as Eva Longoria-Parker went for colored jewels also).

Eva Longoria-Parker wowed many at the 2010 Emmy Awards in a strapless black gown by Robert Rodriguez. Personally, I found the look boring and safe. I swear I've seen this look on her a million times before.

Still, if it's not broke, don't fix it. And the purple chandelier earrings added some much-needed flair and energy to the look.

Overall, Longoria was stunning as usual though I would've loved to see more dramatic, fascinating gown on her.

For a relative newcomer to the red carpet, Lea Michelle has formal beauty and glamour down to a science. I regularly love everything she wears at award shows, and her latest look is no exception.

She graced the red carpet at the 2010 Emmy's in an Oscar de la Renta gown that brought the drama. She went for all-out glamour by pairing it with a dazzling diamond necklace.

While her bangs were trendy and chic, I would've prepared an elegant updo for this look---and let me add that the wind wasn't on her side on the red carpet. Click here to find out which beauty products she used.

Mama Kris showed up to the Emmy's in a silver one shoulder draped gown with black waistband and matching clutch. She accessorized with black dangling earrings. I love the look on her - mature, but still modern and sophisticated. The orange-tinted skin and obvious plastic surgery addiction almost ruin it for me, though. I'll still give her a Glam for trying - I don't like talking about people's Moms. What's your verdict on her look? Glam or Sham?

Guess Rutina Wesley just doesn't know how to cut off from her crazy character Tara on HBO's TrueBlood. (Which, btw, is my most favorite show on television right now!)

Take a look at this photo...her eyes are totally bloodshot, right?! Maybe she has allergies. Or maybe she was just stunned by all the photographers there that she had to strike a pose for? OR maybe she just needs more sleep? (I can definitely relate to that one!) Whatever the case, it looks rather strange, wouldn't you say?

But, I do love seeing her hair neatly coiffed and styled (those braids her character Tara wears need to die) and the red lipstick against her brown skin looks beautiful. (That shade just so happens to be called Vesuvio and is from the NARS Cosmetics Pure Matte lipstick collection.)

Overall, she looked stunning in a black and white strapless Douglas Hannant gown (her body is sick!) But, I just can't get away from those crazy lookin' eyes of hers. What do you think?

Alright Glamazons, I'll admit it: I probably watched about two seconds of the Emmy Awards last night before I deemed it boring and switched the channel to the news. However, I was sure to keep track of what the stars were wearing and, most importantly, their beauty looks. Let's start with the swoon-worthy Lea Michele, shall we?

Don't get me wrong, I think Lea is an absolute doll face, but her beauty looks aren't always a hit for me. However, last night's look was a definite winner! Talk about a serious GLAM.

Makeup artist Melanie Inglessis for NARS Cosmetics told The Glamazons that her inspiration when creating Lea's look was the era of the 60's.

"I thought of Raquel Welch and Bridget Bardot: the winged eye, the nude lip. The dress is so classic, so we wanted to be adventurous with her eyes," Inglessis said.

Here's a list of the products that Inglessis used from NARS:

-PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base & Skin Smoothing Face Prep

-Douceur Blush

-Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow

-Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

-Tashkent Pure Matte Lipstick

*The products are from the Fall 2010 collection..well, besides the eyeshadow base and face prep.

I love how it looks made-up yet still natural and her sculpted eyebrows are giving me life! OH, and let me not forget to credit that gorgeous gown as coming from Oscar de la Renta. (Gosh, I'd give my right kidney to wear a dress designed by that man!) All in all, this Glee star looked striking wouldn't you say?!

8.28.2010

When it comes to drugstore beauty, I'm a beast. I think it may have something to do with the fact that they're so darned cheap, but I can honestly (and happily!) say that Garnier Nutritioniste has hit the skincare jackpot with these glamazing new products...and I feel like it's my beauty duty to tell you all about my faves. Check 'em out below:

You know how sometimes you need a lot of moisture on your face but can't stand the idea of wearing something heavy? Well, then the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream is perfect for you! Seriously, it's the best light green gel ever. The formula is oil-free (so no grease!) and locks in moisture instantly. Also, the stuff lasts all day so you don't have to worry about re-applying; which is great if you have super dry skin.

If you're worried about having some SPF protection (which you totally should be!) then you should follow up with the Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV Lotion. It has SPF 15 built in and is probably the best smelling drugstore brand of face cream that I've ever worn. ('Cause you know most drugstore skincare products that contain SPF don't exactly smell the best.) Also, it stays right in line with the whole super lightweight formula idea.

And (because I'm always trying to disguise my bags and sags) I've fallen in love with the Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream. It's the first skincare product I've seen that contains a Pro-Retinol formula that doesn't burn the crap out of your skin upon application. (Yeah, thank goodness for Retinol, but too much of it on my skin causes serious irritation. Not fun.) This stuff is super gentle and perfect for your eye area. I've been applying it non-stop for the past couple of weeks and it provides the best hydration. (I have to keep my under eye area moisturized because it tends to get dry sometimes.)

Alright, so they're all super cheap (from $7.99 to $14.99) so you have no excuse not to get to your local drugstore and snap these up. I promise that you won't be dismayed once you try 'em!

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